Stretch Strap

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides in some embodiments, a device for stretching muscles having a series of loops. The device can be formed from strips of elastic material periodically joined in order to form loops. More particularly, a top portion of elastic material can be laid on top of a bottom portion of elastic material. The top and bottom portions of materials can be joined in a variety of ways. A user of the device can engage different body parts with the loops and use the device to facilitate a dynamic stretch of a muscle. Dynamic stretching involves active contraction of the muscle prior to the stretch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an exercise device. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to a strap for performingdynamic stretching.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stretching and flexibility training has long been incorporated intoathletic training in order to help prevent injury, enhance performance,and rehabilitate muscles after injury or surgery. Stretching has alsobecome a part of a well-rounded physical activity program, along withcardiovascular exercise and strength training. Both muscle fibers andthe tissues surrounding those fibers (“fascia”) have viscoelasticproperties. Stretching soft tissues increases the length of the musclefibers and to some extent the fascia. A single stretching session canimprove a person's short-term range of motion, but these results areshort-lived. It has been found that repeated stretching sessions overtime provide the best sustained elongation of soft tissue. Indeed, theAmerican College for Sports Medicine (“ACSM”) suggests 2 to 4 sets of 15to 30 seconds of stretching is necessary to improve flexibility in amuscle, at least 2 to 3 days per week.

Generally, there are 2 types of stretching exercises: static stretchingand dynamic stretching. Static stretching involves the passivelengthening of the muscle, whereas dynamic stretching involves activecontraction prior to the muscle being stretched. Dynamic stretchingincludes proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (“PNF”) or“contract-relax” stretching. PNF stretching can decrease the muscle'sexcitability by reducing reflexive activation, thus reducing itsresistance to stretch and enhancing its length.

Additionally, a hybrid PNF-type stretch can be performed by varying thelevels of contraction in which the muscle is first contracted and thenpassively stretched. These techniques are known as post isometricrelaxation (“PIR”) or post facilitation stretch (“PFS”). Morespecifically, PIR can be used to reduce trigger point pain, while PFScan be used to alleviate chronic muscle tightness. PIR utilizes a verylow, 20% to 25% maximal contraction before relaxation, while the PFSutilizes 100% maximal contraction.

It is therefore desirable to provide a device and method to facilitateperforming a stretch where the muscle is actively contracted atdifferent levels of activation and then passively stretched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the presentinvention, wherein in some embodiments a stretch strap that is capableof overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least to some extentis provided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device forstretching muscles in a body includes a first elongate portion can bemade from an elastic material having a first end and a top surface and abottom surface. The first elongate portion of the device defines a firstlongitudinal axis extending a length of the first elongate portion. Asecond elongate portion can also be made from an elastic material havinga second end, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein thesecond elongate portion defining a second longitudinal axis extendingalong a length of the second elongate portion. The device can alsoinclude the second elongate portion being positioned above a top surfaceof the first elongate portion and the longitudinal axis of the secondelongate portion being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the firstelongate portion. Additionally, the second elongate portion can beperiodically attached to the first elongate portion, such that the firstand second elongate portions define a loop between the top surface ofthe first elongate portion and the bottom surface of the second elongateportion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thefirst and second elongate portions of the device for stretching can beformed from one of a polyester, propylene, nylon, or cottonincorporating a natural or synthetic elastomer. Additionally, theelongation of the first and second elongate portions can be betweenapproximately 40% and approximately 80%. The loops of the device can beconfigured to engage at least one of the hands, feet, arms, and legs.The device can include a toe loop configured to engage a toe of a userand can also include approximately 5 to 10 loops along the length of thedevice. The loops can also include markers along the length of thedevice that are configured to provide guidance in stretching themuscles.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device forstretching muscles in a body includes a base strip made from an elasticwebbing having a first end and a second end and having a top surface anda bottom surface. The first end and the second end can define apredetermined length therebetween, and the base strip can define a firstlongitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end. A topstrip can be made from an elastic webbing having a first end and asecond end and having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top stripcan define a second longitudinal axis extending from the first end tothe second end, and the top strip can be positioned above a top surfaceof the base strip. The longitudinal axis of the top strip is alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the base strip. Additionally, points ofattachment between the top strip and the base strip can be formedperiodically along a length of the device, wherein the points ofattachment are formed by sewing the top strip to the base strip, suchthat the base and top strips define a loop between the points ofattachment.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the topstrips can be formed from one of a polyester, propylene, nylon, orcotton incorporating a natural or synthetic elastomer. The elongation ofthe base and top strips can be limited to between approximately 40% andapproximately 80%. The loops can be configured to engage one of thehands, feet, arms, and legs. The device can also include a toe looppositioned at, at least one of, the first end of the base and topstrips, and can include between approximately 5 to approximately 10loops along a length of the device. The device can further includemarkers for the loops along the length of the device and configured toprovide guidance in stretching the muscles.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a methodof dynamic stretching can include providing an elastic stretching devicehaving elastic loops extending along a length of the device. The methodcan also include engaging a portion of the body with one of the elasticloops of the elastic stretching device and contracting muscles in theengaged portion of the body. The method can also include holding aportion of the elastic stretching device, and moving the engaged portionof the body in a direction to provide a stretch to a muscle.Additionally, the method can include using the elastic stretching deviceto resist the stretch of the muscle in the engaged portion of the body.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the methodcan include using markers along the length of the elastic stretchingdevice to provide guidance in stretching the muscles. The device used inthe method can include an elongation percentage that is limited tobetween approximately 40% and approximately 80% and betweenapproximately 5 to 10 loops along the length of the device. The methodcan also include using a toe loop on the elastic stretching device toengage the body for stretching.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof, herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a stretch strap in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of a stretch strap in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top down view of a schematic diagram of a point ofconnection of the stretch strap in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a method of stretching in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides in some embodiments, a device forstretching muscles having a series of loops. The device can be formedfrom strips of elastic material periodically joined in order to formloops. More particularly, a top portion of elastic material can be laidon top of a bottom portion of elastic material. The top and bottomportions of materials can be joined in a variety of ways. A user of thedevice can engage different body parts with the loops and use the deviceto facilitate a dynamic stretch of a muscle. Dynamic stretching involvesactive contraction of the muscle prior to the stretch.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a stretch strap device 10in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The stretchstrap device 10 includes a base portion 12 and a top portion 14. Thebase portion 12 can be formed from a length of material having a firstend 16 and a second end 18, and the top portion 14 can also be formedfrom a second length of material having a first end 20 and a second end22. Alternately, the base portion 12 and the top portion 14 can beformed by folding over a continuous length of a material used to formthe base portion 12 and the top portion 14. The stretch strap device 10can be formed from a material such as polyester, propylene, nylon, orcotton that also incorporates an elastic component such as a natural orsynthetic elastomer. In some embodiments, a nylon surrounding a latexcord for elasticity can be used. However, any suitable elastic materialcan be used to create the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 ofthe stretch strap device 10. Preferably, the stretch strap device canhave an elongation percentage limited to between approximately 40% andapproximately 80%. Again, however, any elongation percentage that can beused to yield a dynamic stretch of a muscle can be used.

FIG. 1 also illustrates that the base portion 12 and the top portion 14can be connected at points along their length, such that a loop 24 isformed between the base portion 12 and the top portion 14. The loops canbe connected in any suitable fashion such as sewing or heat bonding. Asillustrated in the example device 10 in FIG. 1, there are six largeloops 24 and two small loops 26 formed periodically along the length ofthe device 10. Preferably, there are between approximately 5 toapproximately 10 loops along the length of a stretch strap device, butany suitable number of loops can be used. Additionally, the loops cantake any size suitable for facilitating a dynamic stretch. For example,the two small loops 26 illustrated in FIG. 1, can be used to engage ausers toe in order to facilitate a dynamic stretch of the foot and leg.Alternately, the stretch strap device 10, need not contain any smallloops. The toe loops 26 can be positioned near the middle of the stretchstrap device 10, as shown in FIG. 1 or can be positioned anywhere alongthe length of the stretch strap device 10, such that a foot and/or legdynamic stretch can be facilitated.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of the stretch strap device inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG.2, the stretch strap device 10 can include markers 28. The stretch strapdevice can include markers 28 in the form of numbers labeling the loops24 and 26 from one end 30 of the stretch strap device 10 to a second endof the stretch strap device 32. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the markers 28are positioned between the loops 24, 26 of the stretch strap device 10.While FIG. 2 illustrates the markers 28 taking the form of numbers, thisis only one example of a way to mark the different regions of thestretch strap device 10. The markers can also take the form of colors,letters, symbols, patterns, or any other appropriate marking.Additionally, while the markers 28 are shown between the loops 24 and26, in FIG. 2, the markers can be positioned in any place on the stretchstrap device that facilitates the users dynamic stretch.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a box stitch connection inaccordance with an embodiment of this invention. As illustrated in FIG.3, the base portion (not shown) and the top portion 14, of the stretchstrap device 10, can be joined by sewing the two pieces of materialtogether. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the base portion and thetop portion 14 are connected using a simple box stitch connection. Theconnecting stitch is formed by stitching a box-shape 34 and stitching anx-shape 36 within the boundaries of the box 34. This stitch providesdurability such that the stretch strap device 10, can be used tofacilitate a dynamic stretch.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of performing a dynamic stretch using astretch strap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Themethod can include step 100 which provides an elastic stretching devicehaving elastic loops extending along a length of the device. The elasticstretching device can take the form of the example device described withrespect to FIGS. 1-3 or can take the form of any stretch strap devicethat can be used for a dynamic stretch. Step 110 can include engaging aportion of the body with one of the elastic loops of the elasticstretching device and step 120 can include contracting muscles in theengaged portion of the body. During the stretch the user can executestep 130 of holding a portion of the elastic stretching device. Themethod can also include step 140 of moving the engaged portion of thebody in a direction to provide a stretch to a muscle. Additionally, themethod can include step 150 of using the elastic stretching device toresist the stretch of the muscle in the engaged portion of the body.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, becausenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A device for stretching muscles in a body comprising: a firstelongate portion made from an elastic material having a first end,having a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the firstelongate portion defines a first longitudinal axis extending a length ofthe first elongate portion; a second elongate portion made from anelastic material having a second end, having a top surface and a bottomsurface, and wherein the second elongate portion defining a secondlongitudinal axis extending along a length of the second elongateportion; wherein the second elongate portion is positioned above a topsurface of the first elongate portion and the longitudinal axis of thesecond elongate portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of thefirst elongate portion; and wherein the second elongate portion isperiodically attached to the first elongate portion, such that the firstand second elongate portions define a loop between the top surface ofthe first elongate portion and the bottom surface of the second elongateportion.
 2. The device for stretching of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond elongate portions are formed from one of a polyester, propylene,nylon, or cotton incorporating a natural or synthetic elastomer.
 3. Thedevice for stretching of claim 1, wherein the elongation of the firstand second elongate portions is limited to between approximately 40% andapproximately 80%.
 4. The device for stretching of claim 1 furthercomprising the loops being configured to engage at least one of thehands, feet, arms, and legs.
 5. The device for stretching of claim 1wherein the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion areattached by sewing.
 6. The device for stretching of claim 1 furthercomprising a toe loop configured to engage a toe of a user.
 7. Thedevice for stretching of claim 1 further comprising betweenapproximately 5 to approximately 10 loops along a length of the device.8. The device for stretching of claim 7 further comprising markers forthe loops along the length of the device and configured to provideguidance in stretching the muscles.
 9. A device for stretching musclesin a body comprising: a base strip made from an elastic webbing having afirst end and a second end and having a top surface and a bottomsurface, wherein the first end and the second end define a predeterminedlength therebetween and wherein the base strip defines a firstlongitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end; a topstrip made from an elastic webbing having a first end and a second endand having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top stripdefines a second longitudinal axis extending from the first end to thesecond end, and wherein the top strip is positioned above a top surfaceof the base strip and the longitudinal axis of the top strip is alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the base strip; and points of attachmentbetween the top strip and the base strip formed periodically along alength of the device, wherein the points of attachment are formed bysewing the top strip to the base strip, such that the base and topstrips define a loop between the points of attachment.
 10. The devicefor stretching of claim 9, wherein the base and top strips are formedfrom one of a polyester, propylene, nylon, or cotton incorporating anatural or synthetic elastomer.
 11. The device for stretching of claim9, wherein the elongation of the base and top strips is limited tobetween approximately 40% and approximately 80%.
 12. The device forstretching of claim 9 further comprising the loops being configured toengage one of the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
 13. The device forstretching of claim 9 further comprising a toe loop positioned at, atleast one of, the first end of the base and top strips.
 14. The devicefor stretching of claim 9 further comprising between approximately 5 toapproximately 10 loops along a length of the device.
 15. The device forstretching of claim 14 further comprising markers for the loops alongthe length of the device and configured to provide guidance instretching the muscles.
 16. A method of dynamic stretching comprising:providing an elastic stretching device having elastic loops extendingalong a length of the device; engaging a portion of the body with one ofthe elastic loops of the elastic stretching device; contracting musclesin the engaged portion of the body; holding a portion of the elasticstretching device; moving the engaged portion of the body in a directionto provide a stretch to a muscle; and using the elastic stretchingdevice to resist the stretch of the muscle in the engaged portion of thebody.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising using markers alongthe length of the elastic stretching device to provide guidance instretching the muscles.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein theelongation of the elastic stretching device is limited to betweenapproximately 40% and approximately 80%.
 19. The method of claim 16further comprising using a toe loop on the elastic stretching device toengage the body for stretching.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein theelastic stretching device further comprises approximately 5 to 10 loopsalong the length of the device.